Betsy's Best: Country Vic
Matt Welsh is heading to both Penshurst and Tatura today with a couple of country best bets.
PENSHURST
Turf Talk
- They only have the one meeting per year at Penshurst and have had a couple of rain-affected decks in the last five years.
- When it has been on the firmer side, it’s an edge to be up on speed, and that’s how I am attacking the meeting.
Stats that matter:
- Linda Meech is going to be a big plus at this meeting. She’s going at 21% from her last 100 rides.
- Melissa Julius knows Penshurst well. Has had 38 rides here for an impressive 10 winners at 26.3%.
Race 4 No.3 Meteorite
This bloke started his career with Tony and Calvin McEvoy and he’s a multiple city winner in another life. His best days are behind him and he’s now onto his third trainer and frankly he hasn’t really fired a shot since joining the Carly Cook yard. That said, he has now worked his way down in the ratings and I think has come back from a 61 week spell in good order. He trialled nicely at Colac and then went to Warrnambool where he didn’t have the best of luck but was good. Two of his four wins have come second up, he’s drawn well, got a senior jockey up and frankly he meets a very weak field. He looks an outstanding bet at $4.20 and I’d expect him to start a clear favourite.
Spinhof ran second in this race last year when having a very soft run in behind the speed. He’s going well enough, the knock is the barrier/tricky map – he’s going to need a very good ride.
Suggested bet: Keen on Meteorite, taking the $4.20.
TATURA
Turf Talk:
- Tatura is a tight-turning track with a short home straight that generally favours horses up on speed.
- The mile start out of a chute off the bottom of the home bend and the 1150m are the best on the track.
Race 6 No.4 Paint Me Red
Been 1303 days since this bloke has won, but he won’t get a better chance. He trialled very nicely prior to being a touch slow and then proceeding to have no luck first up at Traralgon. He ran third in a stronger edition of this race last year and with a senior taking over expect him to push forward and be in this a long way.
Suggested bet: 1x3 EW Paint Me Red at $7.50
